United Kingdom: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual
The UK has a long history of progressive research in plant and animal science. Ensuring continued investment in research, and improving the competitiveness of UK agriculture and food in global markets, is driving UK politicians to be bolder in calling for greater access to commercial applications of genetic engineering. The back-drop of the debates on food security, climate change, and population growth has led to an increased awareness of the role that genetic enhancement can play. The UK is a strong proponent of more efficient and effective regulation of genetic engineering within Europe. Most of the major grocery stores now permit their private label animal products to be fed GE products, and, in time, the food industry may have greater confidence to incorporate more products of genetic engineering in the supply chain.
